Cookies are described as small files that identify your browser or device and store or access information on it
The policy describes cookies generally: small text files that let websites and apps identify your browser or device, and cookies and similar technologies that let websites and apps store or access information on your device. They turn on features and distinguish you from other visitors. The policy says most website and app providers use them for purposes such as efficient page navigation, web security, usage tracking, remembering preferences and customising the experience, especially for ads. This passage describes the technology in general; TikTok’s own uses are set out in the later purpose sections.
Supporting quotations
Cookies are small text files that let websites and apps identify your browser or device. Cookies and similar technologies let websites and apps store or access info on your device. They turn on certain features and distinguish you from other visitors.
These purposes include: efficient page navigation, web security and usage tracking. These technologies also remember user preferences and customise the user experience, especially in relation to ads.
Qualifications & exceptions
The sentence about purposes describes “most website and app providers”, not TikTok specifically.
Data Access & Collection · Context
“Cookies” in this policy includes SDKs, pixels, APIs, mobile ad IDs, tags and local storage
TikTok uses cookies and similar technologies, which the policy lists as software development kits (SDKs), pixels, APIs, mobile ad IDs, tags and local storage. The policy calls all of these “cookies”. So every statement in the policy about cookies also covers these technologies, including mobile advertising identifiers on apps, not only browser cookies.
Supporting quotations
Like many websites and apps, TikTok uses cookies and similar technologies, such as software development kits (“SDKs”), pixels, APIs, mobile ad IDs, tags and local storage. We call them all “cookies” in this Cookies Policy.
Qualifications & exceptions
The list is introduced with “such as”, so it is illustrative rather than closed.
Data Access & Collection · Company practice
Most cookies on the Platform are set and used directly by TikTok (“first-party” cookies)
Most of the cookies on the Platform are set on browsers or devices and used directly by TikTok. The policy calls these “first-party” cookies. “Most” leaves room for the third-party cookies that Partners set, described separately.
Supporting quotations
Most of the cookies on our Platform are set on browsers or devices and used directly by us. These are referred to as “first-party” cookies.
Qualifications & exceptions
“Most”, not all, cookies are first-party.
Data Access & Collection · Restriction or exception
Essential cookies needed for the Platform and features you requested cannot be declined or turned off
TikTok says some cookies are essential to provide you with the Platform and the features you have requested, and that you cannot decline them or turn them off afterwards. The policy does not say which of its named cookies are essential: the Types of cookies section describes purposes and examples without marking each cookie as essential or optional.
Supporting quotations
Some cookies are essential to provide you with the Platform and features you have requested. You cannot decline or turn them off afterwards.
Qualifications & exceptions
“Essential” is tied to providing the Platform and the features you have requested; the policy gives no further definition.
Not stated here
Which named cookies count as essential is not stated.
Data Access & Collection · Company practice
Optional, non-essential cookies are used based on your usage and the sites you visit
Cookies that are not essential are called optional. TikTok says these optional, non-essential cookies will be used based on your usage and the sites you visit. This passage does not explain how you choose; the section on controlling cookies says you can accept or refuse optional cookies, and a functionality cookie records that choice. The policy does not label each named cookie as essential or optional.
Supporting quotations
Other optional, non-essential cookies will be used based on your usage and the sites you visit.
Qualifications & exceptions
“Based on your usage and the sites you visit” is the policy’s own wording; it does not explain how usage or visited sites decide which optional cookies are set.
Not stated here
Which named cookies are optional is not stated.
Data Access & Collection · Company practice
Functionality cookies keep you logged in and remember language, country and your optional-cookie choice
TikTok uses functionality and customisation cookies to make the Platform work better, to customise it to your preferences (for example showing it in your preferred language) and to verify your account when you are logged in. The examples given are: “sid_tt” cookies, which remember your login details and status while you browse, retained for 2 months; “default_lang” cookies, which record your preferred language, retained for 1 year; “locale” cookies, which record the country from which you visit the Platform, retained for 1 year; and other cookies that record your consent so your choice of optional cookies is remembered. These are examples, not a complete list.
Supporting quotations
Some cookies help the Platform work better. They also let us customise the Platform to your preferences. For example, we can display it in your preferred language. We also use cookies to verify your account when logged in.
Some cookies allow for the proper functioning of the Platform and our services. These cookies remember your login details and status while you browse the Platform, for example, “sid_tt” cookies (retained for 2 months).
Some cookies record your preferred language, like “default_lang” cookies (retained for 1 year). Other cookies, like “locale” cookies (retained for 1 year), record the country from which you visit the Platform.
Other cookies record your consent to remember your choice of optional cookies.
Below, we provide examples of the cookies we use for functionality and customisation.
Qualifications & exceptions
The named cookies are introduced as examples; other functionality cookies may exist.
Not stated here
No retention period is given for the cookies that record your optional-cookie choice.
Data Access & Collection · User right or choice
You can accept or refuse optional cookies at any time; essential cookies cannot be controlled
You can accept or refuse optional cookies, and you can manage your cookie settings at any time through the Platform Cookie settings. That choice does not reach essential cookies: TikTok says some of the cookies it uses are essential to operate the Platform, so you cannot control their use. The policy does not say which named cookies fall in each group or where on each app or website the cookie settings are found.
Supporting quotations
Some of the cookies that we use are essential to operate the Platform. As a result, you cannot control the use of such cookies.
You can accept or refuse optional cookies.
You can manage your cookie settings any time and accept or refuse optional cookies.
Qualifications & exceptions
The choice covers optional cookies only; essential cookies cannot be controlled.
Not stated here
Which named cookies are optional and which are essential is not stated.
Blocking or deleting cookies may lose your preferences; blocking all may stop features working properly
TikTok warns that blocking or deleting cookies may mean some of your Platform preferences are lost, and that blocking all cookies may also mean certain Platform functions will not work fully or properly. Both are stated as possibilities (“may”), not certain results, and the policy does not say which preferences or functions are affected.
Supporting quotations
Blocking or deleting cookies may mean that some of your Platform preferences will be lost. Blocking all cookies may also mean certain functionalities on the Platform will not operate fully or properly.
Qualifications & exceptions
Stated as “may”; the effects are possible, not certain.
Not stated here
Which preferences or functions are affected is not stated.
Most browsers let you view, block or delete cookies; the policy links help pages for five browsers
Most browsers let you choose your level of privacy settings and control cookies and local storage. The examples given are: see what cookies or other locally stored data you have and delete them one by one; block third-party cookies; block cookies from particular sites; block all cookies from being set; or delete all cookies and site data. The policy links to help pages for Google Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Edge and Firefox. These are browser features, not TikTok settings, and blocking or deleting cookies can cost you preferences and some functionality (see the related card).
Supporting quotations
Most browsers will also allow you to choose the level of privacy settings you want. You can control your cookies and local storage settings, like:
See what cookies or other locally stored data you have and delete them on an individual basis;
Block third-party cookies;
Block cookies from particular sites;
Block all cookies from being set; or
Delete all cookies/site data.
For more information on how to manage the most popular browsers, see below:
Google Chrome:
Safari:
Internet Explorer:
Edge:
Firefox:
Qualifications & exceptions
Described for “most browsers”; availability depends on your browser.